Green Room

Obama campaign urges supporters to send contact info of GOP associates

posted at 12:19 pm on December 14, 2011 by

Face it, Barack Obama is a fun guy. You can tell from his easygoing manner and his sheer insouciance in the face of even the most scathing criticism.

You can also tell from this message at the president’s campaign website:

This holiday season, we’re giving you a chance to have a little fun at the expense of a Republican in your life by letting them know they inspired you to make a donation to the Obama campaign.

Simply enter their name and email address below. Then, we’ll send them a message letting them know they inspired you to donate. [Emphasis added]

Keith Koffler at White House Dossier writes vis-à-vis the request for contact information:

The effort could help the Obama campaign build a database that would enable it to target Republican voters during the general election campaign. But, more perniciously, it could also become part of an [sic] Democratic effort to influence Republican primary voters to select a candidate Democrats think Obama could most easily defeat.

While Obama does have a troubling history of asking supporters to snitch on his enemies, I see this latest move as far less invidious, as just another sappy hook to raise donations. In fact, the message doubles down on a previous hook—dinner with Obama and his missus—by including the following as a footnote:

Important: By making a donation today, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to have dinner with Barack and Michelle Obama. By clicking on the ‘Submit’ button below or otherwise participating in the promotion, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and represent that you satisfy all of the eligibility requirements.

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What is with O and company. Not only do they stink at running the country they think and act like middle schoolers and don’t seem to notice.

jeanie on December 14, 2011 at 12:29 PM

While Obama does have a troubling history of asking supporters to snitch on his enemies, I see this latest move as far less invidious, as just another sappy hook to raise donations

If it were any other politician, I’d agree. But with this guy, I just do not trust him at all.

rbj on December 14, 2011 at 12:40 PM

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your spam. It reminded me of several things I most dislike about you, and has inspired me to donate my kids entire college savings, and half of my retirement savings to your opponent in the general election. Have a lovely day.

Sincerely,…

Abiss on December 14, 2011 at 1:00 PM

This is illegal in some states. From http://www.atg.wa.gov/internetsafety/spam.aspx :

A Washington law passed in 1998 and upheld by the state Supreme Court in 2001 makes it illegal to send unsolicited commercial e-mail that has been addressed in a false or misleading way. This type of spam is especially troubling because it can cheat consumers out of their money, undermine consumer confidence in online commerce and harm legitimate Internet marketers. One example of illegal spam, sometimes referred to as “Joe job” spam, purports to come from reputable business firms and is intended to harass those firms or to elicit personal information from recipients.

But Barry doesn’t seem to worry himself a lot with the rule of law, now does he?

BR549 on December 14, 2011 at 1:09 PM

Ooooh, chumbunny wants SPAM complaints!

Sekhmet on December 14, 2011 at 1:14 PM

Another bad idea that sure sounded good when they threw it against the wall…

HoosierStateofMind on December 14, 2011 at 1:26 PM

“What? You needed me to inspire you to get involved financially with the presidential candidate you like?? Kinda makes you a fair-weather friend to ol’ Barry, now, doesn’t it?”

KMA Too on December 14, 2011 at 1:39 PM

Wait, what?

I thought Republicans were evil troglodytes who want to kill Granny, give children asthma, enslave women, and shoot their neighbors. What self-respecting Obama supporter would have one of those as a friend?

rockmom on December 14, 2011 at 1:51 PM

I know it’s illegal in some states, but I could have sworn there was a national law against it as well.

FlareCorran on December 14, 2011 at 3:13 PM

So the White House is making an enemies list. I wonder what the reaction in the MSM will be when the next president starts making a list of all the troublesome Democrats in our lives?

Fred 2 on December 15, 2011 at 12:34 AM

Nothing like turning it into a game show. This is exactly what appeals to liberals – not policy, character, truth but pettiness. Too bad they will be fooled and the only thing he really wants is their money.

EveGem on December 15, 2011 at 11:12 AM